Support an Author. Leave a Review.
A book can take months—or even years—to write. Reading it may take only a few hours. And leaving a thoughtful review can take just a few minutes.
Yet those few minutes can make a meaningful difference.
STAR Month™ — Support Through Author Reviews is an annual October initiative of The Author Collab™ created to encourage readers everywhere to support the authors whose books educate, entertain, inspire, inform, or simply give us a wonderful escape.
Whether you discovered a new favorite author, learned something that changed your perspective, laughed out loud, stayed up far too late reading “just one more chapter,” or found exactly the words you needed at exactly the right time—your experience matters.
Tell the author. Tell another reader. Leave a review. ⭐
And this October, we're making it easy.
Take the STAR Challenge: 4 Reviews • 4 Weeks • 4 Authors.
4 Reviews • 4 Weeks • 4 Authors
This October, choose four books you've read and leave an honest review—approximately one each week.
They don't have to be books you read this month. Think about the books sitting on your shelf, Kindle, library history, or reading list that you've already finished but never reviewed.
Choose four.
Leave four reviews.
Support four authors.
That's the STAR Challenge.
Take the STAR Challenge ⭐
4 Reviews + 4 Weeks + 4 Authors
This October, choose four books you've read and leave an honest review—approximately one each week.
They don't have to be books you read this month. Think about the books sitting on your shelf, Kindle, library history, or reading list that you've already finished but never reviewed.
Choose four.
Leave four reviews.
Support four authors.
That's the STAR Challenge.
How to Participate
⭐ READ IT.
Choose a book you've read and have something genuine to say about.
⭐ REVIEW IT.
Leave an honest review on an appropriate bookseller, book-discovery platform, your blog, or another legitimate review outlet.
⭐ REPEAT IT.
Do it again until you've reviewed four books during October.
⭐ SHARE IT.
Tell other readers you're participating in STAR Month and invite them to take the challenge with you.
Four reviews. Four weeks. Four authors.
Small actions can make a meaningful difference.
Where Can You Leave a Review?
Depending on the book and where you discovered it, you might leave your review on a bookseller or book-discovery platform, an appropriate retailer website, your own blog or website, or another legitimate book-review outlet.
You don't have to review the book everywhere.
One thoughtful review counts.
Always follow the review policies of the platform you choose.
STAR Month is even more powerful when communities participate together.
Author associations, writers' groups, book clubs, libraries, bookstores, publishing organizations, literary communities, and other membership groups are invited to bring the STAR Challenge — 4 Reviews • 4 Weeks • 4 Authors to their members this October.
There's no fee to participate and no complicated program to administer. Your organization can participate in whatever way works best for your community.
You might:
- Share STAR Month with your members.
- Invite members to take the STAR Challenge.
- Feature STAR Month in your newsletter or on your website.
- Share STAR Month graphics on social media.
- Host a STAR Review Night, author event, or community challenge.
- Encourage members to spotlight and support fellow authors.
- Become a STAR Month Supporting Organization.
We'll provide the materials to make participating easy—including ready-to-use copy, promotional graphics, activity ideas, and the complimentary STAR Month™ Author Playbook.
Help Your Community Support Authors—One Review at a Time. ⭐
Let's work together to BRING STAR MONTH TO YOUR ORGANIZATION
SupportAnAuthor.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is STAR Month?
STAR Month™ stands for Support Through Author Reviews. It is an annual October initiative created by The Author Collab™ to encourage readers to support authors by leaving honest reviews of books they've read.
When is STAR Month?
STAR Month is observed annually October 1–31.
What is the STAR Challenge?
The challenge is simple:
4 Reviews • 4 Weeks • 4 Authors
Leave at least four honest book reviews during October.
Do I have to read four new books during October?
No. You can review books you've previously read but haven't yet reviewed. STAR Month is a wonderful reason to finally leave those reviews you've been meaning to write.
Does my review have to be five stars?
Absolutely not.
STAR Month encourages honest reviews—not five-star reviews. Share your genuine experience with the book.
Does my review have to be long?
No. A thoughtful review can be only a few sentences. You might share what you enjoyed, what stood out, something you learned, or who you think would appreciate the book.
Authenticity matters more than length.
Can I review more than four books?
Absolutely! Four reviews is the STAR Challenge goal—not the limit.
Can authors participate?
Yes! Authors are readers, too. Authors can review books they've genuinely read, provided their reviews comply with the policies of the platform they're using.
Can authors ask their readers to participate?
Absolutely. Authors are encouraged to share STAR Month and invite readers to leave honest reviews.
We simply ask that authors never pressure readers to leave positive reviews or offer incentives specifically in exchange for favorable reviews.
What if I didn't like the book?
An honest, respectful review still counts.
STAR Month isn't about guaranteeing praise. It's about encouraging meaningful reader feedback.
Do I have to buy a book to review it?
Not necessarily. Library books, borrowed books, gifted books, and advance reader copies may all potentially be reviewed, subject to the policies of the platform where you're posting your review.
Is there a fee to participate?
No. STAR Month and the STAR Challenge are free.
How can I help spread the word?
Share STAR Month with readers, authors, book clubs, libraries, writing groups, literary organizations, and your social communities.
Use the STAR Month graphics to invite others to join you.
And whenever you finish a book, remember:
Read it. Review it. Support an Author. ⭐
About STAR Month™
Founded October 1, 2026, STAR Month™ — Support Through Author Reviews is an annual October initiative created by Heidi Richards Mooney and The Author Collab™ to encourage readers to support authors through honest, thoughtful book reviews.
The inaugural STAR Challenge invites readers to leave 4 Reviews in 4 Weeks for 4 Authors, turning a simple act of reader appreciation into a collective celebration of books and the people who write them.
STAR Month is observed annually from October 1–31.
An Initiative of The Author Collab™
The Author Collab™ brings authors together around a simple philosophy:
More Readers. More Impact. Together.
Visit TheAuthorCollab.com to learn more.
⭐ Why October?
It's no accident that STAR Month™ takes place in October.
October is National Book Month—a month dedicated to celebrating books, reading, writing, and literature.
STAR Month adds one more simple action to that celebration:
Don't just read the book. Review it.
As we encourage people to discover new books, revisit old favorites, visit libraries, support bookstores, and celebrate authors throughout National Book Month, let's also remember to take a few minutes to share our reading experiences.
Read more. Review more. Support authors. ⭐
That gives us a wonderful cross-promotional pairing:
National Book Month celebrates reading.
STAR Month™ turns reading into author support.
An Initiative of The Author Collab™
STAR Month™ — Support Through Author Reviews is an initiative of The Author Collab™, a community created around a simple belief: authors can accomplish more when we support one another.
Through collaborative promotions, shared resources, author education, and opportunities to increase visibility, The Author Collab helps authors connect with more readers while helping one another grow.
STAR Month is another expression of that mission—bringing authors and readers together through one small action that can make a meaningful difference.
More Readers. More Impact. Together.™
Read it. Review it. Support an Author. ⭐
Spread the STARshine ⭐
Share STAR Month™
Help STAR Month™ shine! Use these graphics on your website, blog, newsletter, or social media to let others know you're participating—and invite your readers, friends, and fellow authors to join you.
When sharing, link to SupportAnAuthor.com and use #STARMonth and #SupportAnAuthor. #AuthorReviews
DOWNLOAD THE STAR MONTH™ AUTHOR PLAYBOOK - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT STAR MONTH! (click to cover and save the pdf to your device.
Right-click/save your favorite graphic and share the STARshine. Please link back to SupportAnAuthor.com.